I could not have just watched that go on. I think even without a gun I could have found a baseball bat or something. It is a shame when our society has to wait on police to come in order to defend the innocent. It is a wonder the officer wasn't killed due to the inactivity of the bystanders.

Yet if the bystanders get involved, the perp will sue them, and likely win. ... or the PD will get sued, and they will then put the blame on the bystanders. ... or the cop will get injured, and sue the bystanders.

Precedent is already set for ALL of the above, thanks to the nature of people these days.

Yet if the bystanders get involved, the perp will sue them, and likely win. ... or the PD will get sued, and they will then put the blame on the bystanders. ... or the cop will get injured, and sue the bystanders.

Precedent is already set for ALL of the above, thanks to the nature of people these days.

I would get sued then. I'm not gonna stand by and watch an innocent person be killed just because I'm worried about being sued. I would rather sleep at night with no money in the bank. Just my opinion.

I couldn't just stand there and watch either. That shitbag would have got a boot to the head, and been held at the mercy of my XDM.

I'm just pointing out why the majority of society would never intervene. The so-called "justice system" we have in this country is set up for the benefit of the shit bags. Combine that with the rampant corruption in law enforcement and you generate a populous that could care less about cops. If I were standing there, I wouldn't give a shit about the fact it is a cop on the receiving end either. I'd jump in just because I couldn't watch anyone on the receiving end of that and not act.

This was posted on another forum and a good question was asked. If your the bystander, your armed with a gun and you shoot this guy. Do you think it's justifiable? Do you think the DA would side with you and against you?

This was posted on another forum and a good question was asked. If your the bystander, your armed with a gun and you shoot this guy. Do you think it's justifiable? Do you think the DA would side with you and against you?

Given as it was on video that the guy said he was going to kill him...and it appeared that he was trying to kill him (life was in immediate danger)...and the cop said "shoot him" I would think a jury would find it justifiable...but I bet it largely depends on which state you are in and how the DA, judge, and jury feel about guns.

If you walked up calmly, put the gun to the back of his head and blew his brains across the street, you'd probably hang for it.

Likewise, if you had kicked him in the face, had him on his back-standing over him, then shot him....you'd hang.

But if you had attempted to pull them apart, maybe beaten the guy about the head first, then as the cop continued to yell for help and to shoot him, you shot him just enough to end the confrontation, rather than dumping the magazine into him, you'd be more likely to walk.

While I don't think it should matter, because you're attempting to assist the police (or anybody for that matter) in duress, it has to deal with appearances. How will it look on the TV at your trial?
We joke about it at the LGS "if someone breaks into your house kill them; just make sure you get in front of them first."